Public Statements

Gibbs Votes to Extend Payroll Tax Relief for a Full Year

Statement

Congressman Bob Gibbs (R-OH) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.Res. 501 -- a resolution to reaffirm its commitment to a one-year extension of the payroll tax reduction as well as additional relief for families, physicians treating seniors, and job creators:

"Today the House of Representatives sought to extend payroll tax relief for a full year by moving to a formal conference committee that can resolve the differences between House and Senate-passed proposals.

"The differences between the bipartisan, House-passed Middle Class Tax Relief & Job Creation Act and what I call the Senate's "I'll be Home for Christmas Plan' could not be clearer:

* The House bill provides certainty for middle-class families struggling to make ends meet with a full year extension of the payroll tax holiday;* The House bill provides certainty for people looking for jobs by extending unemployment benefits for one-year;* The House bill provides certainty to senior citizens by ensuring their access to their doctor by preventing a cut in Medicare reimbursement rates;* The House bill provides incentives for job creators looking for ways to hire more workers by extending tax relief.

"It is no secret Congress has lost the trust of the American people and must work harder than ever to earn it back. That's why today I voted to go to conference and work these differences out in regular order. We need to come together in a responsible manner to find common ground where we can accomplish everyone's goal of a year-long payroll tax extension.

"I am hopeful that Senate Majority Leader Reid will call his colleagues back to work so we can do what is necessary to avoid a tax hike on 160 million people starting January 1st and provide much needed certainty to families, job creators, and physicians caring for our nation's seniors before the end of the year."